Cover Believing that "enjoying good food doesn't have to be overly formal," but rather respecting the ingredients, using techniques with understanding, and allowing the food to communicate its flavors on its own, Chef Hitoshi Komatsu of Hippopotoshi presents both traditional French techniques and flavors, yet made more accessible, fun, and playful.
Believing that "enjoying good food doesn't have to be overly formal," but rather respecting the ingredients, using techniques with understanding, and allowing the food to communicate its flavors on its own, Chef Hitoshi Komatsu of Hippopotoshi presents both traditional French techniques and flavors, yet made more accessible, fun, and playful.
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Of course, the food has to be delicious, but beyond the taste, Hippopotoshi also offers surprises and fun as you try an endless variety of dishes.
Chef Hitoshi Komatsu, a good-natured Japanese chef who always greets his guests with a smile, has extensive experience in high-level cuisine in several countries, including 3-Michelin-star restaurants in France and a Tabelog Gold-rated restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan.
Hippopotoshi is the first French-Japanese restaurant in Soi Ruamrudee, offering both traditional French techniques and flavors while using high-quality, fresh Japanese ingredients. The dishes are presented in a way that is accessible, fun, and playful, all within a bistro-like atmosphere decorated in cream, black, and bright orange tones. Tall glass windows are interspersed with decorative toys, and Japanese cartoons play in the background, instantly dispelling any perceived formality of a typical French restaurant. This aligns with the chef's belief that "enjoying good food doesn't have to be overly formal," rather than relying on respect for the ingredients, using techniques with understanding, and allowing the food to speak for itself. Experiencing the chef's various dishes today truly confirms this belief.
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Above Hippopotoshi is the first French-Japanese restaurant in Soi Ruamrudee, offering authentic French techniques and flavors but made more accessible, fun, and playful. The atmosphere is a bistro style, decorated in shades of cream, black, and bright orange.
Above Japanese cartoons are shown to customers while they enjoy the delicious food.
Hippopotoshi is the first French-Japanese restaurant in Soi Ruamrudee, offering authentic French techniques and flavors but made more accessible, fun, and playful. The atmosphere is a bistro style, decorated in shades of cream, black, and bright orange.
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Above Drawing on experience in various countries including Japan, Russia, Malaysia, and France, Chef Hitori has applied this expertise to create and present a diverse range of fun French-Japanese dishes.
Drawing on experience in various countries including Japan, Russia, Malaysia, and France, Chef Hitori has applied this expertise to create and present a diverse range of fun French-Japanese dishes.
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Must-try menu items
- Maguro Hoho Steak (690.-) is a rare tuna cheek steak, as there are only two pieces per fish (according to my own experience, Hippopotoshi is the first place to have this on the menu). Pan-seared until crispy on the outside but still tender and juicy on the inside, it offers a soft, bouncy texture and a perfectly balanced, rich tuna flavor. It's served with a caper, butter, garlic, and tomato sauce that has a tangy, herbal aroma. Pairing with the sauce in one bite helps to balance the rich flavor of the fish. This is a highly recommended dish, offering a unique yet familiar taste experience.
- Poulet Roti (650.-) is the chef's special roasted chicken. When served, it has a wonderfully smoky aroma. The chef marinates the chicken with various herbs until the flavors penetrate the meat, then roasts it until the meat is tender and the skin is crispy, while the meat remains soft and juicy. It's then smoked with straw to enhance the aroma and drizzled with a rich chicken sauce for a more intense flavor.
- Blue Crab 2 Ways (890.-) Sweet and tender blue crab meat is served in two forms: pasta and baked pie. The dry-fried pasta has a light spiciness that enhances the sweet flavor of the crab, while the French-style baked pie is fragrant, crispy, and packed with crab filling, topped with grated lemon zest for a refreshing touch.
Maguro Hoho Steak (690.-) A rare tuna cheek steak, pan-seared until crispy on the outside but still tender and juicy on the inside. The rich, buttery flavor of the tuna is perfectly balanced. Served with caper, butter, garlic, and tomato sauce.
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Should-try menu items
- Saumon Marine (450.-) Fresh salmon prepared in the French style, marinated with dill, lemon, orange, salt, and black pepper to enhance the aroma and tenderness of the fish. It's then topped with the chef's signature beetroot jelly and served with wasabi foam and paprika mousse for a light spicy kick, adding depth of flavor that complements the smooth, rich taste of the salmon.
- Baked Wild Mushroom with Foie Gras (590.-) Sounds simple, but surprisingly delicious! Three types of seasonal wild mushrooms are grilled over charcoal until fragrant and lightly seasoned to preserve their natural flavors. Served with a thick slice of foie gras and a rich teriyaki sauce, this dish blends French and Japanese flavors in one. The taste is incredibly smooth and delicious.
- Burrata Tomato Salad (450.-) This Burrata salad is a reinterpretation by the chef, using a variety of colorful tomatoes, resulting in a unique blend of sweet and sour flavors. Seasoned with vinegar, honey, and salt, it's served with a rich, slightly spicy tomato sauce. The combination of flavors—the sweet and sour from the tomatoes, the spiciness from the sauce, and the creamy, smooth texture of the Burrata cheese—is perfectly balanced.
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Saumon Marine (450.-) Fresh salmon marinated with dill, lemon, orange, salt, and black pepper, topped with beetroot jelly and served with wasabi foam and paprika mousse.
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Above A wide variety of drinks are available.
Above Besides the delicious and value-for-money food, the drinks menu, including the wine selection, is equally impressive.
A wide variety of drinks are available.
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Above Hippopotoshi is the first French-Japanese restaurant in Soi Ruamrudee, offering authentic French techniques and flavors while making them more accessible, fun, and playful.
Above Located in the Woodberry Common project near BTS Phloen Chit (parking available), the restaurant is easily accessible in terms of price, value, atmosphere, and convenience.
Hippopotoshi is the first French-Japanese restaurant in Soi Ruamrudee, offering authentic French techniques and flavors while making them more accessible, fun, and playful.
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Not only that, the restaurant also offers a wide variety of drinks, including wines and cocktails, to complement your favorite meal. In particular, they have over 200 labels of quality wines to choose from, carefully selected by an award-winning sommelier who is always ready to offer recommendations. This makes Hippopotoshi another ideal restaurant for a relaxing, comfortable, and friendly dinner.
Considering the quality of the food, the menu, and the chef's experience, plus its location in Soi Ruamrudee (Woodberry Common project near BTS Phloen Chit), Hippopotoshi is accessible in terms of price, value, atmosphere, and convenience. However, it's recommended to book a table in advance via Line or Chope, as seating may be limited and the restaurant prioritizes the quality of ingredients, food, and service.
Location: Hippopotoshi shop
Woodberry Common Project, Soi Ruamrudee (near BTS Phloen Chit)
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
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